Nickel is listed in the in-game item database as a Raw Material, but no Nickel nodes have been placed in any biome in Early Access. The "Nickel Ore" entry shows the generic gem icon, which is the convention for not-yet-implemented materials in SN2.
The database entry exists but contains no recipe reference and no biome assignment. That's a strong indicator the material was reserved for a later EA phase — likely tied to the unexplored "Open Ocean" map edge or to a future Karakorum subzone.
In Subnautica 1, Nickel Ore drove the Cyclops Depth Module Mk2 chain. In SN2, the equivalent depth gating is handled by Tadpole Depth Module Mk.1/Mk.2, which uses Celestine and Atacamite/Troilite instead.
When Nickel spawns are placed in the game we'll:
